-The Business Standard   A totally novel method needed to procure and disburse food Unbundling the Food Corporation of India (FCI) by hiving it into three separate entities for procurement, storage and distribution of foodgrain seems prima facie an unsound proposition. It would lead to a multiplicity of food handling agencies; the proliferation of bureaucracy would cause procedural delays and poor coordination. Administrative expenses, which are already high and bloating the food subsidy...

-The Times of India   NEW DELHI: The forecast of a weak monsoon this year has brought back worries of a water crisis in the country. Water is fast depleting in key reservoirs, and although current levels are significantly higher than normal in most places with the exception of south India, a slow start to the monsoon next month could quickly bring the situation to a head. The latest update from the...

-Press Information Bureau (Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution) The Government has formulated a Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme for creation of storage capacity mainly through Private Entrepreneurs, Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) and State Warehousing Corporations (SWCs)/State Agencies. Under this scheme, a capacity of 203.76 lakh MT has been approved for construction of godowns at various locations in 19 states. Out of this, tenders have been sanctioned for a...

-The Telegraph Kolkata: The Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) had not only alerted officials in Bengal to the possibility of releasing water from two dams four days in advance but also waited until the danger mark was crossed by four feet, a senior official of the central PSU has told The Telegraph. "The claim of the state government that it was not informed regarding the release of excess water is incorrect. The state...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: Good monsoon, between June and August, has substantially increased the water storage position of several reservoirs and river basins across the country, raising hope for bumper harvest for 'rabi' (winter-sown) crops and spurt in hydro-power generation. Water storage position data - released by the Central Water Commission (CWC) this month - shows that the country's 85 key reservoirs have collectively reported increase of around 35...